Sheffield — Sheffield’s annual Town Meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 6, 6 p.m., at the Mount Everett Regional High School auditorium. There are 32 articles on this year’s Town Meeting Warrant, which is available on the town’s website.
The proposed total town budget for fiscal 2025 is approximately $4.5 million, an increase of $287,876 over this current fiscal year’s budget. According to the Town Meeting Warrant, proposed increases include a a $3,512 increase in the Select Board line item, which is proposed for $272,912; a $6,487 increase in the town treasurer/collector line item, which is proposed for $131,702; a $7,783 increase in the town clerk line item, which is proposed for $106,788; a $31,948 increase in the highway department line item, which is proposed for $474,741; and a $60,916 increase in the police department line item, which is proposed for $723,716.
Several articles on the Warrant concern capital repairs and purchases, including Article 17 asking voters to approve a $239,190 expenditure for the purchase of two trucks for the town’s highway department, Article 22 asking voters to approve $125,000 for town building repairs and improvements, Article 23 asking voters to approve a $25,000 expenditure for the town to purchase information technology hardware and software, Article 24 asking voters to approve $85,000 to purchase truck hoses for the fire department, and Article 27 asking voters to approve $200,000 for a sidewalk-replacement project for the Village Green.
Article 30 asks residents to approve a zoning bylaw change for lots in the town’s business district, changing the minimum front setback from 100 to 40 feet, and the minimum rear and side setback from 75 to 20 feet.
Article 31 asks residents to approve an amendment to the town’s zoning bylaws that would add sections regarding accessory-dwelling units (ADUs), including attached and detached ADUs. The proposed bylaws would create standards for ADUs in town including permitted and special permitted uses.
For more information about the annual Town Meeting, go to the town’s website.
